Embers of Us

Crossing Paths

"This one," Lexi said, pointing toward the blue Chevy HHR, her voice surprisingly steady. "Tell me about this one."

Tyler's eyes lit up with recognition. "Ah, excellent choice!" he exclaimed, moving toward the HHR with surprising speed for his size. "This one's got low mileage, great condition. And get this—leather seats. Ethan went over every inch of this thing; it's practically brand new under the hood."

He glanced over his shoulder at Ethan, a sly grin spreading across his face. "Though, you know how Monroe is," he added, his voice dripping with a mock-friendly tone. "Always takes him twice as long to finish the job 'cause he's got to fuss over every little detail. Right, Monroe?"

Ethan was already approaching the car, his expression unreadable. He didn't respond immediately, simply brushing his hand over the hood as he gave the car a final inspection. "Better to get it done right than to cut corners," he replied calmly, his tone steady, not rising to the bait.

Tyler chuckled, shaking his head as if Ethan's comment was amusing. "Sure, sure, whatever you say, man. Guess that's why you're still crawling under trucks while I'm out here running things." He let out a short, bark-like laugh, his eyes flicking to Aaron for a reaction, searching for some acknowledgment that he was in control.

Aaron, however, gave no such satisfaction. His gaze remained cool as he watched the exchange, his expression betraying nothing.

Lexi observed the interaction, her eyes darting between Ethan and Tyler. She could feel the tension in the air, like the thick, humid heat that clung to her skin. Tyler's tone was light, but there was a pointed edge to his words, an attempt to keep Ethan beneath him. Yet, Ethan barely seemed to notice, continuing to move around the car with a detached ease, as if Tyler's remarks were no more than background noise.

"So," Ethan began, ignoring Tyler's jab, "the HHR's in good condition. New transmission, engine's been tuned up, tires are brand new." He opened the driver's door, gesturing for Lexi to take a look inside. "We kept the leather seats in pristine condition. It's reliable—gets the job done."

Tyler leaned against the side of the car, crossing his arms over his chest, a smug look plastered on his face. "Yeah, Lexi," he added, his voice taking on a mockingly helpful tone, "and if anything ever goes wrong, you know who to blame. Our resident perfectionist here probably over-tuned half the parts on this thing." He laughed, the sound loud and grating in the humid air.

Ethan didn't even flinch. He glanced at Tyler, his expression as calm and steady as ever. "Over-tuned or not, it runs like a dream," he said coolly, turning his attention back to Lexi. "If you want to take it for a spin, let's go."

Lexi caught the tension but was struck by how Ethan handled it—like it didn't even matter, like Tyler's words were nothing but the buzzing of a fly in the summer air. His indifference almost made her want to laugh, to break the heavy atmosphere hanging over them. Instead, she nodded. "Yeah," she said, her gaze shifting from Tyler to Ethan. "Let's go."

Tyler shrugged, still grinning. "Sure thing, take your little joyride. Just try not to break anything, Monroe." He shot Ethan a smirk, but Ethan had already turned away, moving to the driver's side of the car.

With that, Tyler moved a few steps back, still watching, as if expecting Ethan to slip up somehow. Lexi felt a flicker of irritation at Tyler's attitude. There was a certain insecurity in the way he made those comments, a need to assert himself by tearing others down. But Ethan? Ethan acted as if he didn't have time for such games. He simply got things done.

"Right, yeah, sounds good," Tyler muttered when it was clear Ethan wasn't going to take the bait. "I'll be around if you need anything."

Ethan didn't look back as he climbed into the driver's seat. Lexi followed suit, closing the passenger door behind her. Inside, the heat of the day was trapped in the leather seats, making the air thick and warm. She glanced at Ethan, noticing the way he adjusted the seat, his movements fluid and methodical. He started the engine, and the car roared softly to life, a testament to the care he had put into its maintenance.

They pulled out of the lot, leaving Tyler and his backhanded comments behind. As they drove onto the road, the humid air slowly cooled inside the car, thanks to the air conditioning Ethan switched on. Silence settled between them, but it wasn't tense. It was more like the calm before a storm, the kind of quiet that held a thousand unspoken words.

Lexi cleared her throat, trying to break through the silence. "You didn't let him get to you," she observed, her voice laced with curiosity. "Tyler, I mean. He was kind of... harsh back there."

Ethan shrugged, his eyes on the road ahead. "It's just how he is," he replied evenly. "He likes to talk. I like to work. We've got different priorities."

She studied him for a moment, intrigued by how effortlessly he dismissed the jabs thrown his way. It wasn't that he was ignoring Tyler; it was more that he simply didn't give the words power. And that said more about Ethan than any insult Tyler could muster.

"Guess so," she murmured, leaning back into the leather seat, letting the cool air wash over her. "Well, the car runs smoothly," she added, changing the subject to focus on what mattered. "You did a good job."

He glanced at her, a faint, almost imperceptible smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Thanks," he said quietly. "Told you I don't cut corners."

She nodded, feeling the car glide over the road effortlessly. It was more than just a vehicle; it was a statement of Ethan's work ethic, of how he approached everything in life with a calm determination. And maybe, just maybe, it was what she needed right now—a reliable choice, built with care, not talk.

He pulled the car to a stop on the side of the road, shifting into park before turning to face her. "So, what do you think?" he asked, his voice steady, his eyes searching hers for a hint of doubt or hesitation.

She met his gaze, feeling the weight of the decision in the humid air around them. "I'll take it," she replied firmly, gripping the armrest. "I need something reliable."

Ethan nodded, his eyes lingering on her for a beat longer before he turned away, opening the door and stepping out. As they walked back to the lot, Lexi caught sight of Tyler standing near the gate, his gaze fixed on them.

"So?" Tyler called out, his tone laced with a mock casualness. "She closing the deal, or did you manage to screw it up, Monroe?"

Ethan didn't miss a beat, tossing the keys to Tyler without looking back. "She's taking it," he said calmly, already heading toward the truck he had been working on. "Get the paperwork ready."

Tyler's smirk faltered for a second before he forced it back, glancing at Lexi. "Great, great. I'll handle it," he muttered, clearly thrown off by Ethan's indifference. He turned on his heel and shuffled toward the office, his bravado slipping just a little.

Lexi watched him go, then looked at Aaron, who had been silently observing the entire scene with an amused glint in his eyes. "Reliable, huh?" he drawled, his lips curling into a slight smirk.

She shot him a glare, though there was no real heat behind it. "Yeah, reliable," she echoed, turning her gaze back to the blue Chevy HHR. It wasn't just a car; it was a step forward, a new path away from the noise and distraction of people like Tyler.

She glanced over at Ethan as he moved back toward the truck, his shoulders relaxed, his focus already shifting back to his work. He didn't give Tyler's remarks a second thought, didn't let them cling to him like the sticky heat of the day. And in that, she saw a strength that made her decision feel right.

"Let's go," she muttered to Aaron, turning away from the lot. She had what she came for, and she wasn't about to waste any more time wading through the games and jabs thrown around this place.

As they drove away, she caught one last glimpse of Ethan. He had slipped back under the truck, already absorbed in his task, Tyler's words drifting off him like the humid breeze through the yard.

For the first time in a while, she felt a small flicker of hope, like the warmth of the sun cutting through the muggy air. This was just the beginning.